BEUVARDES, France -- In 1918 on the 11th hour, the 11th day, of the 11th month, Germany signed a peace agreement which ended all hostilities of World War I. It was once called Armistice Day. Now more commonly known as Veterans Day, we honor and remember our fallen comrades of present and past wars.
The 529th Military Police Company, 95th MP Battalion, 18th MP Brigade, had the honor of providing a color guard for the Croix Rouge Farm Memorial ceremony Nov. 12, near the memorial site.
"This was a great opportunity for the 529th MP Co. to act as a representative of U.S. Army Europe and pay our respects to the veterans that fought and prevailed at this battle," said Capt. Aaron Kravitz, the commander of the 529th MP Co.
During the ceremony there was a special unveiling of the monument dedicated to the Soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division who gave their lives in France during World War I.
The memorial is a ten foot bronze sculpture of a Soldier carrying a fallen comrade.
According to the Croix Rouge Farm Memorial Foundation website, the sculptor of the monument expressed his feelings on the memorial.
"In the Rainbow Division memorial, my original idea was to portray the powerful bond between men on active service with a soldier carrying his dead comrade… I am not a religious man, but working on this sculpture I felt a strong spiritual guidance," as stated by James Butler.
"The ceremony reminded us of the significance of Veterans Day, especially walking across the old battlefield," said 1st Lt. Molly Broderick, a platoon leader with the 529th MP Co. "This ceremony also made me reflect on not just a number but the actual Soldier and leader story."
On July 26, 1918, Gen. Douglas MacArthur made the following statement about the battle of Croix Rouge Farm.
"The 167th Alabama Infantry Regiment assisted by the left flank of the 168th Infantry Regiment had stormed and captured the Croix Rouge Farm in a manner which for its gallantry. I do not believe has been surpassed in military history. It was one of the few occasions on which the bayonet was decisively used," according to MacArthur.
"The atmosphere just made you think about the strength and courage it must have taken to fight on an open field decisively down to bayonets," said Broderick. "I was honored to be able to feel a plethora of emotions from their actions and it is an experience I will never forget."
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